• ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net
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    19 hours ago

    On reflection can FOSS even be bought

    Yes, you can pay developers to stop publishing new changes. Basically hire the people developing it and stop releasing the code. Community can try to still develop it independently.

    • qualia@lemmy.world
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      18 hours ago

      At the limit though they’d have to pay every coder with an interest in that software’s development and enough time for a hobby. I guess they could target distribution like Codeberg but alternatives would eventually fill their place.

      • ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net
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        18 hours ago

        Normally there’s a small group of people with expertise doing most of the work. If you poach them and pay them to work full time on the project it will be really hard for the community to compete.